Haryana will get Rs 20.67 crores to host Kehlo India Youth Games

The Games are scheduled in November 2021 and will include competitions in 25 disciplines, including 5 indigenous games that have been added for the first time.

Haryana has a very strong culture of sport that is commendable. The sports minister of the state has been an elite hockey player and has deep interest in strengthening the sports ecosystem there. I am very happy that the Games will be held in Panchkula in Haryana this year. The existing sporting infrastructure in the state is very good and more infrastructure is being developed for the Games and I am confident athletes will have a very good experience.

                                – Kiren Rijiju

Khel Today Bureau

New Delhi: Khelo India Youth Games, which is a national-level multi-sport competition for athletes in the Under-18 age category enters its fourth edition in 2021. The Games held jointly by the Sports Authority of India and the Government of the state hosting the games that year. This year it will be held in Haryana in 2021. As part of the partnership between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Haryana Government, the Sports Ministry has sanctioned Rs 20.67 crores to organise the Games.

Speaking about the decision to have Haryana as the partner state for KIYG 2021, Union Minister of Sports  Kiren Rijiju said, “Haryana has a very strong culture of sport that is commendable. The sports minister of the state has been an elite hockey player and has deep interest in strengthening the sports ecosystem there. I am very happy that the Games will be held in Panchkula in Haryana this year. The existing sporting infrastructure in the state is very good and more infrastructure is being developed for the Games and I am confident athletes will have a very good experience.”

Elaborating on the readiness of the State in hosting the upcoming games, Sandeep Singh, Sports Minister, Haryana, said, “There is a lot of enthusiasm among the players about the event since the responsibility of conducting it has been entrusted to Haryana. Since the preparations started, the State Government is constantly working to make Khelo India grand. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Ji, the work related to the Khelo India Youth Games is being completed at a fast pace and all the officials of the Sports Department are busy in completing the preparations in time.”

The Games are scheduled in November 2021 and will include competitions in 25 disciplines, including 5 indigenous games that have been added for the first time.

Haryana hosting KIYG 2021 has the state’s elite athletes excited. Rani, captain of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, expresses her delight in seeing her home State host the numero uno sports competition from the talented youngsters of India. “Haryana has been in the forefront when it comes to sports. The State has produced several top athletes who have brought laurels to the country. It is a matter of great pride that the Khelo India Youth Games will be held in Haryana this time,” Rani mentioned, adding, “The multi-discipline sports extravaganza will definitely provide a great stepping stone for budding athletes from Haryana. The KIYG is a fantastic platform for young and aspiring athletes to showcase their talent and I am very happy and excited that my home State is hosting the games.”

’National-level 25m pistol shooter and 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, 18-year-old Anish Bhanwala feels the games will benefit the next generation from the State immensely. “Haryana has always been good in sports. It has always been promoted by the state government. Maybe, there were fewer infrastructures in the past. Now, more facilities and infrastructure will be created thanks to the Khelo India Youth Games and this will boost the upcoming generation of athletes from the State in a much bigger way,” said Anish, who is also a four-time gold medallist at the ISSF Junior World Cup,

The Khelo India Youth Games, which is a one-of-its-kind national level sports competition is the largest grassroot-level talent identification scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Athletes selected under the Khelo India Scheme are given an annual scholarship of 6.28 lakhs, which includes an out-of-pocket allowance of Rs 10,000 a month. The first edition was held in 2018 under the banner of Khelo India School Games. Thereafter, it was renamed as the Khelo India Youth Games. Maharashtra and Guwahati hosted the 2019 and 2020 editions respectively. The whole purpose of the Khelo Games is to create and strengthen the sporting ecosystem of the country and to identify and nurture talent for podium finishers in major international competitions, including the Olympics.